Discuss the major derivational suffixes of English and classify them according to the scheme of classification.

Derivational suffixes in English are affixes added to base words to create new words with different meanings or parts of speech. These suffixes play a crucial role in word formation and contribute significantly to the richness and diversity of the English vocabulary. Derivational suffixes can be classified into several categories based on their semantic functions and the types of words they create. Here are the major derivational suffixes of English classified according to their scheme:

Scheme of Classification:

1. Noun Suffixes:

   • -ness: Forms abstract nouns indicating a state or quality (e.g., darkness, kindness).
   • -ity/-ty: Forms abstract nouns indicating a state, condition, or quality (e.g., reality, beauty, purity).
   • -ism: Forms nouns denoting a belief, practice, or ideology (e.g., socialism, Buddhism).
   • -ment: Forms nouns indicating the result or action of a verb (e.g., development, excitement).
   • -tion/-sion: Forms nouns from verbs or adjectives indicating an action, process, or state (e.g., completion, discussion).

2. Adjective Suffixes:

   • -ful: Forms adjectives indicating full of or characterized by (e.g., joyful, careful).
   • -ous/-ious: Forms adjectives indicating possessing or characterized by (e.g., famous, curious).
   • -able/-ible: Forms adjectives indicating capable of or fit for (e.g., comfortable, visible).
   • -al/-ial: Forms adjectives indicating relating to or characterized by (e.g., cultural, celestial).
   • -y: Forms adjectives indicating characterized by (e.g., sunny, rainy).

3. Verb Suffixes:

   • -ize/-ise: Forms verbs indicating to make or become (e.g., organize, realize).
   • -ate: Forms verbs indicating to make, do, or become (e.g., activate, educate).
   • -en: Forms verbs indicating to cause to become (e.g., strengthen, broaden).
   • -ify: Forms verbs indicating to make or become (e.g., simplify, clarify).

4. Other Derivational Suffixes:

   • -less: Forms adjectives indicating without or lacking (e.g., fearless, helpless).
   • -hood: Forms nouns indicating a state or condition of being (e.g., childhood, brotherhood).
   • -ize/-ise: Forms verbs indicating to perform an action or process (e.g., criticize, symbolize).

Classification Examples:

• Inflectional vs. Derivational Suffixes: Inflectional suffixes (e.g., -s for plural nouns, -ed for past tense verbs) do not change the grammatical category or meaning of a word, while derivational suffixes alter both the meaning and sometimes the grammatical category (e.g., -ness changes an adjective into a noun).

• Productive vs. Non-Productive Suffixes: Productive suffixes (e.g., -ness, -ful) can be freely used to create new words, whereas non-productive suffixes (e.g., -th in "length" or -en in "hasten") are less commonly used in modern English word formation.

• Semantically-based Classification: Suffixes can be grouped based on their semantic functions, such as forming nouns (e.g., -ment, -tion), adjectives (e.g., -ous, -able), or verbs (e.g., -ize, -ate).

Understanding derivational suffixes and their classification helps learners comprehend the formation and meaning of new words in English. By recognizing patterns and semantic functions of suffixes, language users can expand their vocabulary, improve reading comprehension, and enhance their overall language proficiency. Teachers can facilitate this process by introducing derivational suffixes systematically and providing opportunities for practice and application in language learning contexts.